2 Thessalonians 3:17 kjv
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 nkjv
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 niv
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 esv
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 nlt
HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING ? PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians 5:27 | I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers. | Authentication, Public Reading |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:2 | not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarm, either by spirit or by word, or by letter as from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. | Addressing False Letters |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:16 | May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with all of you. | Benediction, Peace |
| Romans 16:22 | I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. | Scribe Identification |
| 1 Corinthians 16:21 | The greeting is in my own hand: Paul. | Paul's Personal Greeting |
| Galatians 6:11 | See with how large a letter I write to you myself. | Emphasis, Personal Touch |
| Philemon 1:19 | I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—though I need not say that you owe to me even your own self. | Personal Action, Authority |
| Colossians 4:18 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | Personal Signature, Reminder |
| 2 Timothy 3:14-15 | but as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been trained in the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. | Learned Truths, Foundation |
| 2 Timothy 4:6-8 | For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. | Completion, Faithfulness |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:18 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. | Final Benediction |
| Ephesians 3:1-3 | For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. | Revelation, Divine Grace |
| Acts 15:36-41 | And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” ... And there was a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been recommended by the brothers to the grace of God. | Missionary Journeys, Companionship |
| Philippians 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: | Shared Service, Saints |
| Colossians 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, | Apostleship by God's Will |
| 1 Peter 5:12 | By the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. | Silas' Role, Encouragement |
| Romans 1:7 | To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Beloved, Called Saints |
| 1 Corinthians 1:3 | Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Grace and Peace from God |
| Jude 1:3 | Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I felt compelled to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. | Contend for the Faith |
| 1 Corinthians 4:17 | I may become boastful if I am wrong, but the Lord knows my heart. | Paul's Sincerity |
2 Thessalonians 3 verses
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Meaning
This verse is a personal sign-off by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. He states that the greeting which concludes his letter is written in his own hand. This practice served as a verification of authenticity, distinguishing his genuine epistles from any falsely attributed ones.
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Context
Chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians deals with instructions for practical Christian living, particularly concerning idleness and disorderly conduct. Paul addresses the issue of those who were not working, leading to disruptions in the church community. He emphasizes the importance of diligence and honorable conduct. This verse serves as the final personal assurance and benediction of the letter, confirming its authenticity and conveying a final blessing. The Thessalonians, like many early churches, faced external pressures and potentially internal confusion, making Paul's personal touch significant for their encouragement and assurance of true apostolic teaching.
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Word Analysis
- This: Refers to the immediately preceding words or the entire letter that follows this statement.
- salutation: Greek: "aspasmos" (ἀσπασμός). Signifies a greeting or a mode of showing affection and respect.
- I: Greek: "ego" (ἐγώ). Refers to the Apostle Paul himself, emphasizing the personal authorship.
- Paul: The name of the Apostle, a crucial identifier and proof of authenticity.
- write: Greek: "grapho" (γράφω). Indicates the act of penning down the words.
- my: Greek: "emou" (ἐμοῦ). Possessive pronoun, highlighting that the greeting originated from Paul's own hand.
- own: Greek: "idios" (ἴδιος). Adjective meaning peculiar, private, or one's own. It strongly emphasizes personal involvement.
- hand: Greek: "cheir" (χεῖρ). Literally the hand, but in this context, it signifies the direct manual writing by Paul, a tangible mark of his personal communication.
Words Group Analysis
- "I Paul write": This direct assertion of personal authorship is key to the verse. It's Paul distinguishing his authentic letter from any possible imitations or false teachings masquerading as his own. This practice of a personal closing salutation was common in ancient letters to establish their legitimacy, especially when dictated to scribes for the body of the letter.
- "my own hand": This phrase signifies that the final greeting, often the most personal part of an ancient letter, was written by Paul's own physical hand, not dictated. This was a more emphatic confirmation than just the body being from his mind; it was his unique physical inscription. It highlights the human element of his communication and the care he took in ensuring they received genuine words from him.
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Bonus Section
The practice of verifying authenticity through a personal sign-off was not unique to Paul but was a common epistolary convention. However, in the context of spreading the gospel and combating heresy, it held profound theological weight. This act demonstrates the seriousness with which Paul viewed his apostolic responsibility and the truth he conveyed. It underscores that the authority of scripture is tied to its divine inspiration, and in the human channel of transmission, the author's unique personal authentication was vital for establishing credibility. The personal signature signifies that the inspired word of God is delivered through trusted, personally identifiable human instruments, ensuring continuity and integrity in apostolic teaching.
2 Thessalonians 3 17 Commentary
Paul's final words in 2 Thessalonians serve a vital purpose: authentication. By stating that he writes the salutation "with his own hand," Paul provides undeniable proof of the letter's genuine origin. This was essential in an era where letters could be forged, especially to influence churches. It assures the Thessalonians that they are receiving direct, unadulterated apostolic instruction from Paul himself, distinguishing his message from potentially misleading or deceptive claims circulating at the time. It’s a mark of both personal authority and pastoral care, ensuring the flock receives truth from their shepherd.